Tax increment financing

Tax increment financing (TIF) is a public financing method that is used as a subsidy for redevelopment, infrastructure, and other community-improvement projects in many countries, including the United States. The original intent of a TIF program is to stimulate private investment in a blighted area that has been designated to be in need of economic revitalization.[1] Similar or related value capture strategies are used around the world.

Through the use of TIF, municipalities typically divert future property tax revenue increases from a defined area or district toward an economic development project or public improvement project in the community. TIF subsidies are not appropriated directly from a city's budget, but the city incurs loss through forgone tax revenue.[2] The first TIF was used in California in 1952.[3] By 2004, all U.S. states excepting Arizona had authorized the use of TIF. The first TIF in Canada was used in 2007.[4]

If the cost of basic services increases, with TIF in place, the result is a revenue shortfall that has to be paid from sources other than tax revenues of the TIF district to prevent service cuts.
  1. ^ Caves, R. W. (2004). Encyclopedia of the City. Routledge. p. 659. ISBN 978-0-415-86287-5.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference TIF-Subsidized was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference True Costs of TIF was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference CRL as developer subsidies was invoked but never defined (see the help page).